Reveal Math Grade 3, Unit 5: Area
In this unit, your child learns what area is and how to measure it: first by covering a shape with unit squares, then by multiplying a rectangle's length by its width. Children also find the area of L-shaped figures by splitting them into rectangles. The multiplication patterns from the last unit help here, and the next unit turns to fractions.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 5?
- Understanding area as the amount of flat space inside a shape, measured in unit squares that fit with no gaps or overlaps. Learn more: Area: how much flat space a shape covers
- Measuring area by counting square units, such as square inches, square centimeters, or square feet, and labeling it in square units. Learn more: Finding area by counting squares
- Finding a rectangle's area by multiplying length by width, and adding the areas of the rectangles that make an L-shaped figure. Learn more: Finding the area of a rectangle
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
You want to cover a rectangular garden with new grass. Which measurement tells you how much grass you need?
- Perimeter
- Length
- Area
How you can help
- Count the tiles on a kitchen or bathroom floor in rows and columns, then ask your child to find the area by multiplying instead of counting each one.
- Cover a book with square sticky notes, then ask your child to multiply the number of rows by the number of columns to check the count.
- Draw an L shape with sidewalk chalk or on paper, mark the side lengths, and work together to split it into two rectangles and add their areas.
Where kids can get stuck
- Leaving gaps between unit squares when covering a shape, so the area comes out too small.
- Counting grid lines instead of the squares between them, so a shape 4 squares wide seems 5 wide.
- Multiplying every side length of an L-shaped figure together instead of adding the areas of two rectangles.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- area
- The amount of flat space a shape covers, measured in square units.
- unit square
- A square with sides 1 unit long, used to measure area.
- square unit
- The unit for area, such as a square inch or square centimeter.
- square inch
- A square with sides 1 inch long, used to measure area.
- square centimeter
- A square with sides 1 centimeter long, used to measure area.
- length
- How long something is from end to end.
- width
- How wide something is from side to side.
- rectilinear figure
- A flat shape with only straight sides and square corners, like an L shape.
Want to help your child master finding area?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
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Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Reveal Math Grade 3 Unit 5 cover?
Reveal Math Grade 3 Unit 5 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.